Transcript The Corn Laws

The development of political
parties and The Corn Laws
Where are we now ?
1832
Reform Act
(Whigs)
1884/5
Reform Act
(Liberals)
Towards
democracy
1867
Reform Act
(Conservatives)
1839-1848
Chartism
(Whigs /
Tories)
Terminology
How many can you define ?
Fiscal
Deficit
Budget
Direct Taxation
Tariff
Indirect Taxation
Revenue
Sliding scale
Import duties
Raw materials
Surplus
Free Trade
Backbenchers
Frontbenchers
Terminology
How many can you define ?
Fiscal
Government revenue: taxes
Deficit
The amount by which there is a shortfall of money.
Budget
An estimate of income or how much should be
spent
Direct Taxation
Tax paid directly to the government by a person
Tariff
A tax to be paid on certain imports or exports.
Indirect Taxation
Not paid directly by the person e.g. final tax on
consumer products
Revenue
Income: especially of an organisation.
Sliding scale
A scale of fees, tax or wages.
Import duties
A duty imposed on imports.
Raw materials
The basic material from which a product is made.
Surplus
The amount left over when requirements are met.
Free Trade
international trade left to its natural course
without tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.
Backbenchers
An MP who does not hold office in Parliament or
opposition.
Frontbenchers
a member of the House of Commons who is a
minister in the government or who holds an official
position in an opposition party
Lesson Objectives
• To understand what the Corn Laws were
• To become familiar with some economic
terms
• To learn about the impact of the Corn
Laws on the Conservative Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blnyiG46u
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The Corn Laws
Using the booklet answer the following questions:
1. What were the Corn Laws?
2. Why were they introduced?
3. Who benefitted from the Corn Laws and why?
4. Who suffered because of the Corn Laws and
why?
5. What was the Conservative dilemma?
6. How did the working and middle classes view the
Corn Laws?
The Corn Laws
Using the booklet answer the following questions:
1.
What were the Corn Laws?
• Protectionist economic policies which placed a limit on how low the price of grain could fall.
It was like a tariff on corn.
2.
Why were they introduced?
• Napoleonic wars – meant no imports, goods protected from competition, farming became
lucrative and British corn was sold with a great profit.
• At the end of the war Britain was faced with the prospect of being flooded with cheap
grain.
• 1815 – Corn Laws introduced – no foreign corn in Britain until domestic corn returned to 80
shillings per quarter – this guaranteed profits for landowners
3.
Who benefitted from the Corn Laws and why?
• Aristocracy and other large landowners
• Seen as important source of revenue
4.
Who suffered because of the Corn Laws and why?
• The Urban working class had to spend the bulk of their income on corn just to survive.
• Manufacturers suffered because people had no money left over to spend and they had to
lay off workers.
• Workers then had problems finding employment
5.
What was the Conservative dilemma?
• Corn laws were an obstacle to free trade which would lead to economic growth and
prosperity
• However they were strongly supported by the landed interest
6.
How did the working and middle classes view the Corn Laws?
• Corn Laws represented the political strength of landed elite which continued to dominate
Parliament despite industrialisation.
What were the Corn laws?
• Corn laws were
protectionist economic
policies which placed a
limit on how low the price
of grain (corn) could fall.
• This meant that grain
producers would not suffer
economic hardship or
bankruptcy in times of
depression and lowered
grain prices.
• It was like having a tariff
on corn
•
Why were they introduced?
•
During the Napoleonic Wars, the
British blockaded the European
continent, hoping to isolate the
Napoleonic Empire and bring
economic hardship to the
French. One result of this
blockade was that goods within
the British Isles were protected
against competition from
outside sources. There were no
French imports. Farming
became extremely lucrative,
and farming land was traded at
very profitable rates. British
corn was grown and sold at
home with great profit.
Why were they introduced?
•
•
At the end of the wars Britain was
faced with the prospect of being
flooded with cheap corn. This
would affect the revenue of
landowners.
So, in 1815 the Corn Law was
introduced. This law stated that no
foreign corn would be allowed into
Britain until domestic corn reached
a price of 80 shillings per quarter;
this guaranteed profits for
landowners. Later on, a sliding
scale was introduced which
allowed import duty on foreign
corn to rise or fall according to the
price of British Corn. (For
example: corn at 85s duty at 5s;
corn at 90s, duty at 3s
Who benefited?
• The beneficiaries of the Corn
Laws were the aristocracy
and other large
landowners who owned the
majority of profitable
farmland. Landowners had a
vested interest in seeing the
Corn Laws remain in force.
And since the right to vote
was not universal, but
rather depended on land
ownership, voting Members
of Parliament had no
interest in repealing the
Corn Law. They saw it as an
important source of
revenue. They were not in
favour of Free Trade.
• This is how the laws
came to be called
‘class legislation’
Laws passed by a
government to favour
a specific class ie.
Aristocratic land
owners.
Who Suffered?
•
•
The artificially high corn prices
encouraged by the Corn Laws
meant that the urban working
class had to spend the bulk of
their income on corn just to
survive. Since they had no
income left over for other
purchases, they could not afford
manufactured goods. So
manufacturers suffered, and
had to lay off workers. They
were under pressure to pay
higher wages.
These workers had difficulty
finding employment, so the
economic spiral worsened for
everyone involved.
The political dimension
• For Conservatives, who believed
in free trade, the Corn Laws
presented a dilemma.
• On the one hand they were an
obstacle to the freeing of trade
restrictions which would lead to
greater economic growth and
prosperity.
• On the other hand, they were
strongly supported by the landed
interest which made up the great
bulk of Tory support.
• Peel had used his budget to
introduce Income Tax (direct
taxation), so he could cut duties on
imported goods (indirect taxation)
The Radical response
• It was not just the
working class that
condemned the
introduction of the
Corn Laws by
Liverpool’s
government in 1815
• For Radical elements
within the middle class,
this legislation
represented the most
obvious example of the
political strength of the
landed elite which,
despite industrialisation
and the growth of
commercial wealth,
continued to dominate
parliament.
Peel
• Peel had said he wanted to make Britain “a
cheap country to live in” and his ability to
cut his deficit and have a surplus by 1844
was testament to his financial ability. He
knew that public revenue (fiscal) would
come from those who could afford to buy
certain goods, but he often had to convince
his party members, especially those MP`s
who held no office (backbenchers).
Homework: Terminology
How many can you define ?
Fiscal
Deficit
Budget
Direct Taxation
Tariff
Indirect Taxation
Revenue
Sliding scale
Import duties
Raw materials
Surplus
Free Trade
Backbenchers
Frontbenchers
Homework: Peel and the Corn Laws
• Peel saw the repeal of the Corn Laws as a logical next step
and he introduced a Bill to get rid of them in 1845.
• So what factors led him to do this ?
• Read pages 148-149 and identify these 5 factors; rank
order them and decide which one you think is the most
important.
• Use pages 149-150 to find out :1. Why Peel was forced to resign
2. What role Disraeli played in his downfall
3. Why the repeal of the Corn Laws split the Conservative
Party.
• The Carebears – Jacob Arkell, Sophie,
Daniel, Millie
• The Smurfs – Thomas, Bethany, Jas,
Warren
• The Rugrats – Jacob Atwell, Catherine,
Elizabeth
• The Moomins – Matthew, Shirley, Katie,
Charlotte
• The Flintstones – Fabian, Kieran, Hannah,
Rosie
How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect
the Conservatives and the Liberals?
• To reflect on the
aftermath of the Corn
Laws – in understanding
the effect on the
Conservative Party and
the problems the new
Liberal Party faced
• To start to learn about 2
politicians – their ideas
and influences
Robert Peel
He never married
He died in 1850
He got a Double First in Maths & the
Classics
He was educated at Eton & Cambridge
He was upper class
His father was a middle class mill
owner
He supported Catholic Emancipation in He wrote the Tamworth Manifesto – a
1829
statement of Conservative Party
Policy
On his death bed he said, “I think I
could eat one of Bellamy`s veal pies”
He is reputed to have said, “Lies,
damn lies and statistics”
He had a Lancashire accent
He served as President of the Board
of Trade under Lord Liverpool
He opposed the extension of the
franchise in 1832
He was at the Home Office in the
1820`s
He was educated at Harrow and
Oxford
O`Connell said his smile was like the
gleam on the silver plate of a coffin
lid
Robert Peel
He never married (F) married Julia
He died in 1850 (T)
He got a Double First in Maths & the
Classics (T)
He was educated at Eton & Cambridge (F)
He was upper class (F)
His father was a middle class mill owner (T)
He supported Catholic Emancipation in
1829 (T) disliked the alternative
He wrote the Tamworth Manifesto – a
statement of Conservative Party Policy (T)
On his death bed he said, “I think I could
eat one of Bellamy`s veal pies” (F) William
Pitt
He is reputed to have said, “Lies, damn lies
and statistics” (F) Disraeli
He had a Lancashire accent (T)
He served as President of the Board of
Trade under Lord Liverpool (F)
He opposed the extension of the franchise
in 1832 (T)
He was at the Home Office in the 1820`s
(T) Home Secretary
He was educated at Harrow and Oxford
(T)
O`Connell said his smile was like the gleam
on the silver plate of a coffin lid (T)
FEEDBACK Homework: Peel and the Corn Laws
Read pages 148-149 and identify these 5 factors; rank order them and decide which one you
think is the most important.
1.
Peels gradual conversion (Irish Famine, need to promote manufacturing prosperity)
2.
Irish Famine
3.
Success of budgetary and tariff reforms (their successes convinced Peel that further reform
would stimulate industry)
4.
An opportunity to restore confidence in the political system
5.
the appeal of the Anti-Corn Law League
Use pages 149-150 to find out :1. Why Peel was forced to resign?
Peel had been elected in 1841 on a commitment to retain the Corn Laws. Repeal would not only
be a breach of aristocratic confidence but also a rejection of the electorates wishes. Not
surprisingly a majority of the cabinet opposed Peels policy and he had no alternative but to resign
dec 1845.
2. What role Disraeli played in his downfall?
Put forward a protectionist case which claimed Peel had betrayed confidence of his
party and exaggerated the famine. Made personal attacks on Peel.
3. Why did the repeal of the Corn Laws split the Conservative Party?
2/3 of his own Party voted against him, he relied on Whig votes, Peelite faction of
Conservatives.
How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect
the Conservatives and the Liberals?
Work in pairs to prepare to argue that the
Repeal of the Corn Laws was a disaster for the
Conservative Party.
Now prepare to argue that the repeal was a
bonus for the new Liberal Party
How could you argue that the Liberal Party
was also facing problems?
How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect
the Conservatives and the Liberals?
Argue that the Repeal of the Corn Laws was a disaster for the
Conservative Party.
• Caused a split between ‘Ultra-Tories’ and Peelites
• Problems with leadership as Peel accused of treachery and Bentinck
lacked ability, Disraeli didn’t have support or party (Jewish and
ostentatious style), Lord Derby lack of plan.
• Altered Parliamentary balance and threw Party Politics into disarray
• Unable to hold a government – statistics 1857 – 140 Anti-Conservative
majority, minority gov. but never lasted long.
• Forced back to traditional strongholds e.g. countryside, lacked the
capitals support.
• Didn’t appeal to middle classes
• 1841 – 74 Conservatives did not win a single general election.
How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect
the Conservatives and the Liberals?
Argue that the repeal was a bonus for the new Liberal Party
• Whigs, Radicals, Irish and Peelites came together to form new Liberal
Party
• 1841 – 74 Conservatives did not win a single general election.
• There were some broad areas of agreement such as free trade and
support of Liberal and Nationalist governments in Europe
• Strength of local gov increasing (rank and file)
• Strength of Non-Conformist organisations
• Willis’ room meeting 1859 – stability and foundations of Liberal Party
• Gave Liberals office BUT also started their growth as an identifiable
and understood group
• Encouraged men of ability, experience and talent into Liberal rank e.g.
Gladstone
• Middle-class background and wanted a more active role for government
How did the repeal of the Corn Laws affect
the Conservatives and the Liberals?
Argue that the Liberal Party was also facing problems
• 1850s still led t0 instability of governments
• Tensions between leaders – Whig (Conservative) and Radicals clashed,
Gladstone (Peel), Palmerston (Whig) commit to alliance (Liberal)
• Peelites failed to fully commit to alliance
• Governments continued to collapse after failures of crucial votes in
Parliament – looseness of part discipline showed
• Splits between ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Nation and MPs and Rank and File
• Potential for a split similar to that suffered by Conservatives
• Potential splits in ideology, attitude and policy
The effect on Political Parties
Homework
• Use Section 6, from page 231, to complete
this task.
• Explain why the Conservatives were unable
to win elections after 1846. Aim to give 3
well explained reasons.
Get into groups 3 or 4
• Must be a mix of boys and girls
• Choose your group carefully – who is good
at researching? Feeding back? Organising?
• Get out your homework which was the
double bubble on Gladstone and Disraeli
and the multi-flow map on Repeal of the
Corn Laws
Review
• Use the Flow Map to identify the causes
and effects of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Effect
Causes
Main Event
Repeal of Corn
Laws
How did the Liberal Party develop after 1846?
Who were they?
Whigs
Peelites
Radicals
What was the
background of most
Liberal MP`s?
Who were the main
supporters of the
Liberal Party ?
What did NonConformists want ?
What were their views?
Areas of conflict
Areas of agreement
Largest
group
aristocratic
Reform to conserve
(slowly)
Defended national
interests in foreign
policy
Favourable to
religious toleration
•
•
•
Gladstone
Aberdeen
No effective
leader
Sir James
Graham
•
Big
influence in
Liberal
Party
•
•
•
•
•
Favoured a more
active role for
government in
politics
No coherent
philosophy
Supported measures
of Russell 1846 - 52
Sympathetic to
Chartism
Concerned with
Factory Reform or
religious
disabilities
Wanted more
democracy
•
Between
radicals –
Palmerston did
not want more
Parliamentary
Reform
•
•
Policy
Thought Whigs
were inferior
administrators
Disagreed with
foreign policy
•
•
•
Criticised
Palmerston and
Russell over
government
Opposed
aristocratic
government
Reform
Free trade
Support for
Liberal/nationalist
movements in
Europe
•
•
•
•
•
Free Trade
Free trade
Assessment: Explain the growth of
political parties 1832 – 1846.